Leaf Chain and Associated Parts

A few years ago, several forklift manufacturers began factory-fitting leaf chains with plastic guides. These guides were added to protect hydraulic cylinders from wear or to ensure proper guidance of hoses that pass through or near the forklift mast.

Leaf chains with plastic inserts are now available in a variety of sizes and lengths and are widely used on forklifts manufactured by companies such as Linde, Boss, Komatsu, Still, Toyota, Cesab, Hyundai and Jungheinrich. However, replacing or repairing these chains can be complicated as they do not follow international leaf chain standards, although their components such as plates and pins may have similar dimensions. These chains with plastic guides are considered to be among the most difficult to identify, and therefore additional information is required when ordering them.

Fortunately, at Mechanical I. Makris, we can help you with this. Here are some useful guidelines to help you determine the correct leaf chain:

• Take photos of the chain and email them to us. Usually, we can identify the chain from the photos or at least narrow down the options.
• If the chain has a plastic guide in the center, tell us if it is round, hollow, or flat.
• If the plastic guide is on the side of the chain, specify whether it is only on one side or on both.
• There may be chains that look similar on the outside, but differ in pin length, shape, or plastic guide width. Please provide as many details and measurements as possible.
• Don't forget to mention the make and model of your forklift. While this doesn't always confirm the type of chain, it is very likely to help.

We keep over 20 types of chains with plastic guides in stock and you can view our full collection.